Restorative Justice Team/Prison Ministry
Contact Information
St. Dominic Restorative Justice Team/Prison Ministry:
Jane Martinez 210-535-9141
Maria Belmarez 210-367-5680
Michael Ordaz 210-322-3707
Who Can Participate
Our ministry is open to everyone.
Luke 10:2
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."
In order to enter a TDCJ facility (prison), persons must be 18 years of age and older, register and complete TDCJ training, as well as complete Archdiocese of San Antonio VIRTUS training, Safe Environment training and Protecting God's Children training. See links below.
https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/php/prod/volunteer_training/
https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/index.cfm?
Anyone not desiring to enter a TDCJ facility can help our ministry in other ways.
fundraiser assistance
retreat item collection
retreat set-up/break-down (family retreat)
retreat meal prep
donation collection
financial donations
prayer for the victims of criminal acts, for their families, for those imprisoned, and volunteers
Matthew 25:36 "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me."
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice involves a repairing of the harm caused by crime and conflict. Through ministering to the men and women in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system and sharing the good news of the Gospel we see and experience God's amazing works. Corinthians 3:6-9 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plant nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building.
What We Do
St. Dominic's Restorative Justice Team has been quietly ministering in prisons over the past twelve years. While we primarily offer weekly Communion Services to the men at the Joe Ney Unit in Hondo, Texas, we have also participated in multiple women's and men's prison retreats throughout Texas working with other prison ministries of outreach. In 2022, our small group expanded our ministry so that we ourselves could sponsor and facilitate retreats for our incarcerated sisters in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system as well as have the funding to purchase items necessary for the ministry. We held our first ever fund raiser and used some of the funds to purchase ministry items. We were also able to make a financial donation to help purchase hygiene items for the men at Torres and Ney Units in Hondo; a program that happens once a year, typically around Christmas. We expanded our assistance to this particular hygiene program to the women's unit in 2023. We are currently bringing a Lenten Day of Reflection as well as an Advent Day of Reflection to the women's Coleman Unit in Lockhart. These one day retreats offer our incarcerated sisters a message of hope during particularly difficult times of the year when they especially miss their family and loved ones.
Future Goals
While continuing to offer weekly ministry, 'days of reflection', and hygiene support, with God's help, we hope to also offer a Family Day of Reflection. This will give families of the incarcerated an opportunity to share their experience as well as offer hope for the future well-being of their incarcerated loved ones.
What It Takes
A day of reflection involves many things, first and foremost, a team of faithful Catholic women who have completed required training (see below). These folks are willing to share their faith journey and most importantly have a listening ear. A priest is absolutely essential so that offenders have an opportunity to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation as well as participate in the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. He also answers questions any of our participants may have. Much communication and coordination is involved with the unit chaplain to bring in all items including, literature, prayer cards, food items as well as things needed for the mass. Patience is also essential when entering a prison facility as each person is individually checked as well as all the items brought in.
Why We Do It
The rewards experienced as a prison ministry volunteer are indescribable. The appreciation expressed by the participants is immeasurable. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states we should all participate in the:
Corporal Works of Mercy
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Shelter the homeless
4. Visit the sick
5. Visit the prisoners
6. Bury the dead
7. Give alms to the poor
"Over the twelve years of ministry, I have seen many men leave the unit with changed hearts and mindsets. I can do nothing but allow Christ to work through me. He has blessed me with the opportunity to see healing and transformation and see new creations return to the free-world as faithful followers of Christ. I have definitely found Christ in prison. Not only are those ministered to transformed, but those who volunteer are transformed as well.
Whether you are available to help on a Saturday morning at a men's unit or would like to experience helping on a 'day of reflection', you will be forever changed.
That is just how our Lord works." - Jane